Quality assessment of colonoscopy in Flanders: a voluntary survey among Flemish gastroenterologist.

Colonoscopy is an important endoscopic examination for the diagnosis and treatment of pathological conditions of the colon, like polyps and colorectal cancer. However, several factors determine the quality of colonoscopy and thus the quality of polyp and colorectal cancer detection. The Flemish Society of Gastroenterology (VVGE) performed a voluntary on-line registry among its members to identify quality of colonoscopy in Flanders, Belgium. 64 gastroenterologists voluntarily registered 4276 consecutive colonoscopies performed during a 3 month study period. Colonoscopy quality indicators were prospectively collected and analysed. Results showed a low voluntary participation rate (17%), acceptable overall adenoma detection rate of 20,5% and colorectal cancer interval rate of 5,4%. Complications were low (perforation 0,1% and major bleeding 1,5%). The current study showed that in Flanders, Belgium on-line registration of colonoscopy quality indicators is feasible and that quality of colonoscopy in daily practice meets the expectations of (inter)national guidelines. However, further improvement of the registry and an open debate on the quality control of colonoscopy in Flanders is warranted (Belgian Registry B30020096548).